Page contents
- What is hypertriglyceridemia?
- symptoms
- Causes and risk factors
- Multiples
- Diagnosis
- treatment
- protection
Hypertriglyceridemia is a condition in which high levels of triglycerides (triglycerides) in the blood may increase the risk of heart disease. Triglycerides are the main form of energy storage in the body, meaning that they are a source of energy for the body.
Hypertriglyceridemia is a symptom of metabolic syndrome, which increases the risk of heart disease, diabetes or stroke.
Symptoms of hypertriglyceridemia
Hypertriglyceridemia does not have any specific symptoms, but certain symptoms may appear in cases where its levels are very high. It may cause the following:
- Coronary artery disease at an early age.
- Hypertension.
- Fat accumulations under the skin (Xanthomas).
Causes and risk factors for hypertriglyceridemia
There are many causes of hypertriglyceridemia, including:
- Excess obesity.
- Diabetes that is not treated.
- Hypothyroidism.
- Kidney disease and kidney failure.
- Consuming more calories than the body needs.
- Excessive alcohol consumption.
In addition, taking some medications may increase the level of triglycerides in the blood, such as the following:
- Tamoxifen.
- Steroids of different groups.
- Beta blockers.
- Diuretics, such as: Furosemide.
- Estrogen.
- Contraceptive pills.
Complications of hypertriglyceridemia
High levels of triglycerides in the blood are associated with an increased risk of many diseases, such as the following:
- Various heart diseases and brain: due to the occurrence of clots resulting from the accumulation of triglyceride levels in the blood.
- Diabetic neuropathy: It is a disease in which one of the nerves responsible for a function in the body is damaged.
- Pancreatitis and fatty liver diseases: the accumulated fats cause various infections and diseases that affect the functioning of the liver.
Diagnosis of hypertriglyceridemia
Triglyceride levels are measured simply by taking a blood sample from the patient, and the values refer to the following:
- Normal value: less than 150 mg/dL.
- Threshold value: 150-199 milligrams/dL.
- High value: 200 - 499 mg/dL.
- Very high value: 500 mg/dL or more.
Treating hypertriglyceridemia
Treatment of hypertriglyceridemia aims to control factors that may lead to high levels of triglycerides in the blood, such as: obesity and diabetes. Treatment can include the following:
- Diet modification
Blood triglyceride levels are affected by a person's diet; Therefore, patients with hypertriglyceridemia should consult a nutritionist to obtain a balanced and proper diet, with the need to maintain physical activity, which may help maintain normal levels of triglycerides in the blood.
- Avoid drinking alcohol
It is recommended to reduce the amount of alcoholic beverages consumed to a minimum, as these drinks are a source of extra calories and increase the density of fats in the blood vessels.
- Avoid smoking
Smoking is prohibited in cases of hypertriglyceridemia, as it increases the risk of blockage of blood vessels and prevents the proper and normal flow of oxygenated blood.
If blood triglyceride levels remain high despite changes in diet, drug therapy may be necessary.
Prevention of hypertriglyceridemia
Hypertriglyceridemia can be prevented by the following:
- Adopt a balanced diet and increase physical activity.
- Regular blood lipid profile checks, especially if there are risk factors for hyperlipidemia.
- Consult a doctor regarding preventive treatment of the disease.
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